Military AI Works

These shots were taken by a work colleague, who specialises in HRD photography; he hasn't done too many aircraft shots, but I may persuade him to get some more......this is his website for those interested http://www.glphotos.co.uk/#/page/home/

Oh wow, they have a Viggen....I think I may have to go have a look.

They've got some crackin' stuff mate, well worth the visit; also being able to stand under a Vulcan is not something you can do everyday.......unless you go there

delbydoo wrote:They've got some crackin' stuff mate, well worth the visit; also being able to stand under a Vulcan is not something you can do everyday.......unless you go there

Lol....I got two Vulcans within 20 miles of me, Coventry and Wellesbourne there bloody everywhere....but your right standing under a Vulcan is kinda special.

Nice shots, love the MIG!!

tdogg wrote:Nice shots, love the MIG!!

Yeah, must admit that one is now PC wallpaper

I already complimented on FB, but these are great HDR shots.
HDR is an technique which makes the photo very artificial, but if you manage to master it you can get very rewarding results.
Here is an attempt of mines from 2008!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/giacomogra ... 3151906577

james84 wrote:I already complimented on FB, but these are great HDR shots.
HDR is an technique which makes the photo very artificial, but if you manage to master it you can get very rewarding results.
Here is an attempt of mines from 2008!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/giacomogra ... 3151906577

I have also started to experiment with HDR photography recently. The artificial look was what has kept me away until now. But I have realized meanwhile that you can very much control the degree of how artificial the outcome is.

That's right. You can overcome the sensor's limits and improve your images too. Have you tried to process a shot with frontal sun light?

james84 wrote:That's right. You can overcome the sensor's limits and improve your images too. Have you tried to process a shot with frontal sun light?

Yes, the obvious ones, like from a dark room into the light outside etc. What I like is the way you can make photos that just extend the normal range, and avoid blocked up shadows and blown out highlights. Also goes very well with black and white photos. I use Photomatix Pro now after I have tested Luminance and Picturenaut.

Here is a counterlight shot I've taken in Amsterdam during my last trip. Crappy photo as I could enclose the whole tree, but enough to give an idea.
Before (this is the jpg shot you see on the camera LCD)


After the HDR treatment (plus horizon aligned with Gimp and light contrast mask)


Here are the EXIF data
Canon EOS 400D+Canon EF 17-40 L
f/6.3
1/640 sec.
ISO 100
focal 33mm

I shot the photo in RAW format (Canon's RAW files have the .CR2 extension) and made three jpg images with the same dimensions but with three different exposures, then I processed them to get the HDR. Shooting in RAW is a nice thing as you get an uncompressed photo which is much bigger than a (compressed) jpg but stores a lot of information. Moreover, this will avoid one bringing a sometimes heavy tripod. Reflex cameras can save RAW images, I think bridge cameras too. Point'n'shoot cameras usually don't as far as I remember.
My advice: HDR processing always increases digital noise, so make sure you shot with the lowest possible ISO (100 in my case, the most recent cameras can shot at ISO 50). Also, keep in mind that an underexposed shot is way better than an overexposed one because this will burn the details in the over-lit areas.

Wow the difference is amazing. But I have no idea what you said

delbydoo wrote:Wow the difference is amazing. But I have no idea what you said

Yes, this is exactly where I see the potential of HDR and how I use it, James

I am shooting with Canon hardware as well, a 20D and - my new jewel - a 7D
The potential of underexposed photos in RAW is unbelievable when you first see it. I am a very satisfied user of DXO Optics Pro when it comes to corrections for lens distortion etc. You can find unbelievable details in pictures that seem to be dark on first glance.

gsnde wrote:Yes, this is exactly where I see the potential of HDR and how I use it, James

I am shooting with Canon hardware as well, a 20D and - my new jewel - a 7D
The potential of underexposed photos in RAW is unbelievable when you first see it. I am a very satisfied user of DXO Optics Pro when it comes to corrections for lens distortion etc. You can find unbelievable details in pictures that seem to be dark on first glance.

7D... May I envy you???

I have been near-sighted all my life. And all my life ophthalmologists kept telling me: wait until you get older, then your nearsightedness will be partly compensated by farsightedness.

Well, now that I am getting there I have to learn that both conditions do not compensate, but rather add to each other I wear varifocals by now, which are great. But they make it extremely hard to see the overlayed information in the viewer of my 20D. I have to shift my viewpoint to see the info line - you can imagine what that means in terms of motive control...

The 7D was advertised for its 100% and very large viewfinder and that is not a lie. I can finally see motive and information together again without any problem.

That was the main reason for me to update. But the rest - autofiocus speed, quality and features - are a dream as well. I love this camera

Purchase quality lenses and corrections are rarely needed, they arn't cheap but they are worth every dollar.

I agree - quality lenses are a great help for HDR